Through the Janus-Doors, Lightly: Millennial Challenges for Social Work Education
Vimla Nadkarni
Senior Social Work Educator and Researcher
Sunday, November 2
9:00 am–10:15 am
Vimla Nadkarni was the 2nd Annual Hokenstad Lecturer, an esteemed medical social worker, and educator from India who had a valuable perspective on how our profession can advance internationally. In her powerful, solution-seeking lecturer, Nadkarni discussed the poverty and sustainable/equitable development learning and intervention opportunities available to social work on a global level. She presented the current situation as “Janus-faced” or two-sided.
As depicted in the Roman god Janus’ two faces and symbolization of beginnings, Nadkarni contended that social workers must look both backward to learn from past lessons and forward to prepare for the future. This approach will enable the profession to emerge through a "door" or "gate" to enter a new place. Further, she explained how a world threatened by terror has implications and global challenges for social work education—the flood victims in New Orleans, the tsunami in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and the conflict resolution techniques needed from Ireland to Jammu and Kashmir.
Her speech was highly motivating in encouraging social work to mitigate international poverty by gaining exposure to various insights and disciplines.